AR-180B Range Report

[shoobe01]

I never had a problem with the folder on my 180, and have never seen a wobbly one when fondling them at shops and shows. Hard to believe with it being sheet steel, but its a solid gun in all ways.

Jim, what was sub-par in your experience?

 

[Glock Glockler]

Yesterday I shot my roommate's AR-180b and I was very impressed with it. It functioned flawlessly, unlike my Bushmaster, and handled very well, and with the Aimpoint it was dead on.

It is a nice, inexpensive, rifle that kept on ticking.

It would be an outstanding rifle if they made the following adjustments:

- left side charging handle. The overwhelming majority of us are righties so why not make the gun more ergonomic by putting the charging handle on the left hand side.

- Fixed blade ejector. The spring loaded ejectot is a tool of the devil and has given me grief many times on my AR, so why not just go the more reliable route and stuck a piece of metal in there that not wear out like a spring will?

- Genuine AR sights. Although the sights were AR-like they didnt seem quite as good as those on an AR. For most of our purposes, under 300 yds, they will do fine but it would be nice to have sharper and more exact sights for beyond 300yds.

 

[Jeff Timm]

Hummm, back in ye bad old days, didn't the Galil Rifle design team swipe the cocking handle from the AR-18? That wa a 90 degree bent shaft that was verticle over the receiver and could be used with either hand?

Geoff
Who has few books from ye bad old days, still available.

 

[Mannlicher]

I have to pretty much fall into line with Dave.

In over a year of shooting my AR180B, I find it to be utterly reliable, as accurate as my AR 15 rifles (except for my HBAR), eats any kind of ammo, uses any type of magazing (mine locks back on empty, with all my mags, including Orlites), and is a joy to shoot.
The 180B is much easier to clean than an AR15, breaks down in seconds, and just shoots, and shoots, and shoots...............................
I shoot AR15s, this AR189B, and my Mini-14. I would not feel undergunned in any social situation with any of the three types.

 

[Cortland]

My most recent e-mail from Armalite said that the "post-postban" AR-180B will have a flash hider and bayonet lug, but they have no plans to bring back the folding stock.

Too bad

 

[natedog]

Well, if Armalite doesn't deliver, an aftermarket source will.

Anyone know of a picattiny rail that can mount to the reciever? I think this rifle really needs one built in.

 

[Dionysusigma]

So the sheet metal and plastic receiver doesn't have a cheap feel to it? That's kinda been a concern for me--as for the Picatinny rail, I can't find anything...

 

[MrAcheson]

What I want is a shorty version myself. Crappy triggers can be fixed. Give me a 16" barrel and with a midlength handguard (with some prospect for heat shielding) and I'll be happy.

 

[Slash]

B-Square makes a weaver-style rail for the 180B.

IIRC, it goes for around $150.

 

[Cortland]

Here's the B-Square mount

The Armalite mount allows only for 1" tubes, and is also see-through.

 

[JShirley]

Keep a good AR-15 clean and it will never fail you, nothing tricky about that simple rifle.

Some of us who have carried an M-16 while crawling in the sand know that "keep it clean" advice may not be so helpful.

John

 

[NoBite]

Dave, I just ran upon this thread and you have my full attention with your appraisal of the AR-180B. I am looking into my first EBR and had not given this rifle consideration, until now.

A bit of time has passed since you wrote this initial range report. Can you add anything? Has your opinion of the rifle as a basic, no-frills, but solid, dependable platform changed since shooting it a bit more?

I don't envision myself as a high-volume shooter. Nor do I imagine I will want to add lots of doo-dads, except optics at some point in time. So, this might be just the ticket.

 

[ftierson]

For a few additional comments on the AR-180B, please see my comments at:My comments on the AR-180B

I hope that they help.

Forrest

 

[NoBite]

I hope that they help.

Very thorough review! Yes, that helps a bunch. Have you shot your AR-180B much since April? If so, would you still endorse it as having a place in the entry-level category?

If it's a matter of saving up another $200 over the cost of an AR-180B in order to get a quality, basic AR, then I'll bite the bullet and wait until I can afford it. But, it seems the AR-180B actually could offer some advantages over the AR-15 platform, especially if upgrading flexibility is not a prime consideration.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

NoBite,

Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to get the AR-180B out to the range again since my initial report. (I have been shooting since then, but with other guns. ) I hope to remedy this come Sunday.

I recently picked up one of the B-Square mounts and I'm impressed with the mounting system. Using this system, optics are instantly removeable with no tools, and it seems quite secure when mounted. I have a Belarussian PK-01V red dot sight mounted on the AR-180B now, using the B-Square base and 30mm medium-height rings. In dry-firing exercies around the house, it is very fast on target.

Report to follow.

 

[Iggy]

Old AR 180 Folder

I have one I bought in the 70's. I carried it in my Patrol car for 5 years and in a pickup on the ranch for another 20.
I haven't had a jam or a malfunction yet...

 

[MrMurphy]

The 180B was intended to give people a non-Mini-14 option in 5.56mm, using AR mags, if they didn't have/want to save up the $800 for an AR-15.

They seemed to do a pretty good job. More A2-like sights and a M1913 rail are the only add ons other than a Surefire it would really need.

 

[ftierson]

NoBite,

I haven't shot the AR-180B a lot since April. I have put slightly over 400 rounds through the rifle now, and it continues to work fine after the first few fixes.

I actually like the rifle. I just ordered a push button .250 receiver pivot pin from Brownells that I plan to use to replace the factory supplied e-clip retained pivot pin (if the new one is long enough). If the new pin works, it will be much easier to separate the upper and the lower receiver for cleaning. I'll let you know how it works out...

Since I never planned to scope the AR-180B, the retention of the original scope mount is not a problem for me (and I like the original look).

My only plan for modifying the AR-180B is related to cutting the muzzle brake off and threading the barrel for an AR A1 flash suppressor. I just haven't had time to fiddle around and make up a fixture for chucking the entire upper in a lathe to do all that... I really don't want to pull the barrel if I don't have to do it.

Armalite has commented on AR15.com that they plan to offer the AR-180B with a threaded barrel and flash suppressor. I have no idea what time frame they are considering to accomplish all that...

Good luck...

 

[NoBite]

Report to follow.

Dave, I look forward to your update. It seems that you've found what you need to mount optics. I am interested to hear how that works out, too, as at some point I could see wanting a red dot or holographic. I prefer to shoot with iron sights, but dealing with aging eyes gets frustrating at times!

Iggy, that's quite a recommendation! Good to hear. Thanks for the feedback.

Mr. Murphy, it seems that Armalite has succeeded with this set-up. I appreciate your comments.

Armalite has commented on AR15.com that they plan to offer the AR-180B with a threaded barrel and flash suppressor. I have no idea what time frame they are considering to accomplish all that...

I found that info on AR15 as well. You got me interested in kicking around over there with one of your previous posts! Since I am in no big hurry and need to save up some money anyway, I'll be staying tuned for an announcement from Armalite. If/when you hear of anything pertinent, I'd appreciate a shout.